System and method for tracking shipping containers

Abstract

A system and method for tracking shipping containers obtains data from BIC codes or QR codes on each container that is particular to each container, including the size of the container, the weight of the container, as well as the location of the container upon scanning the QR code or BIC code with an optical scanning device, such as a smartphone. The system and method of the present invention further incorporates the use of a website and software that allows for a setup of automated emails and notifications, as well as communication with the devices that scan the QR code or BIC code on each container.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for worldwide tracking of shipping containers comprising the steps of:
 obtaining specifications of each of a plurality of shipping containers including information on a CSC plate attached to each of the plurality of containers;   scanning a code on each of the plurality of shipping containers using a GPS-enabled portable electronic computer device with an optical scanner capable of recognizing and capturing the code wherein the code on each of the plurality of shipping containers provides specific identifying information concerning the particular shipping container, and the identifying information including the specifications and the information on the CSC plate for the particular shipping container;   determining the geographic location of the particular shipping container at the time of scanning the code using GPS location technology provided via the GPS-enabled portable electronic computer device;   capturing data including the specific identifying information from the scanned code and the determined geographic location of the particular shipping container at the time of scanning the code;   transmitting the scanned and captured data and geographic location to a computer database server supporting one or more container management websites with asset tracking software installed;   allowing a first user on a first computer server device to access the database server via the one or more container management websites and obtain the identifying information and location tracking information of the plurality of shipping containers including the particular shipping container;   allowing a second user on a second user computer device to access the first user computer server and search for the current geographic location of one or more of the plurality of shipping containers, as well as the identifying information of each of the one or more plurality of shipping containers; and   performing a search in the database server until a match is made for the one or more shipping containers and sending an automated email notification to at least the second user when the particular shipping container is identified, including the current geographical location of the shipping container.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the code on each of the plurality of shipping containers is a BIC code. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 2  wherein the GPS-enabled portable electronic computer device with an optical scanner includes optical character recognition software using an optical character recognition algorithm for recognizing the BIC code on each of the plurality of shipping containers upon scanning the BIC code, and the optical scanner device being capable of recognizing, isolating and extracting alpha numeric and numeric characters presented in a scanned image. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 3  wherein the optical character recognition algorithm is an object detection algorithm that generates bounding boxes and isolates characters to allow the BIC code to be extracted when scanning the BIC code on each of the plurality of shipping containers. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the code is a QR code containing the BIC code and the specific identifying information concerning the particular shipping container. 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 5  further comprising the steps of:
 scanning the QR code on the particular shipping container at any point in time during transit of the particular shipping container to a final destination; 
 determining the current geographical location of the particular shipping container at the time of scanning the QR code using GPS location technology provided via the GPS-enabled portable electronic device; and 
 transmitting the current geographical location of the particular shipping container to the computer database server. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 6  further comprising the step of:
 sending an automated email notification to at least one user with the current geographical location of the particular shipping container at a most recent time of scanning the QR code. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising the step of:
 presenting a GPS map display on a monitor connected to at least the first computer server device or the second user computer device, and the GPS map display showing the current location of at least one of the plurality of shipping containers. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 5  wherein the QR code is a dynamic QR code. 
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 9  further comprising the step of:
 scanning the dynamic QR code with the GPS-enabled portable electronic computer device and obtaining at least one URL from the dynamic QR code to link the GPS-enabled portable electronic computer device to the one or more container management websites.